plaster of paris

plaster /plas·ter/ (plas´ter)

1. a gypsum material that hardens when mixed with water, used for immobilizing or making impressions of body parts.

2. a pastelike mixture that can be spread over the skin and that is adhesive at body temperature; varied uses include skin protectant and counterirritant.

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plaster of Paris  calcined calcium sulfate; on addition of water it forms a porous mass that is used in making casts and bandages to support or immobilize body parts, and in dentistry for making study models.

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plaster of Par·is (prs)

n.

Any of a group of gypsum cements, essentially hemihydrated calcium sulfate, a white powder that forms a paste when mixed with water and hardens into a solid, used in making casts and molds.

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plaster of paris

Etymology: Gk, emplastron, plaster; Paris, France

a white powder, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, that is mixed with water to make a paste that can be molded to encase a body part.

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plaster (plas´tur),

n colloquial term applied to dental plaster of paris.

plaster headcap,

n See headcap, plaster.

plaster, impression,

n plaster used for making impressions. Sets rapidly and is characterized by low-setting expansion and strength.

plaster, model,

n plaster used for diagnostic casts and as an investing material.

plaster of paris,

n the hemihydrate of calcium sulfate that, when mixed with water, forms a paste that subsequently sets into a hard mass. See also beta-hemihydrate.

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plaster

1. a mixture of materials that hardens; used for immobilizing or making impressions of body parts.

2. an adhesive substance spread on fabric or other suitable backing material, for application to the skin, often containing some medication, such as an anodyne or rubefacient.

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plaster cast

see cast (5).

plaster of Paris

calcium sulfate dihydrate, reduced to a fine powder; the addition of water produces a porous mass used in making casts and bandages to support or immobilize body parts.

plaster rolls

the dry material for constructing plaster casts is packaged as rolls of impregnated gauze which is thoroughly soaked in water before being applied by unrolling around the site of the fracture.

plaster shears

special shears to cut plaster of Paris casts. Designed to cut upwards away from the tissues to avoid injury. Called also plaster scissors, Esmarch plaster shears.

plaster spreader

a reverse pincer device with flat blades that are fitted down into a cut made in a plaster cast that is to be removed. Opening the handles forces the plaster apart.